Boy, 17, dies after fall from car park

FLOWERS have been laid at the scene where a 17-year-old boy died on Thursday night after falling from the top of the Wyvern Car Park.

Police officers and ambulance crews were called to the scene at 9.30pm after reports of the incident.

Attempts were made to treat the teenager but he died at the scene after which his body was taken to the Great Western Hospital.

Several roads were cordoned off for a short period following the death, which police are not treating as suspicious.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Air Ambulance said: “We received a call to the Wyvern car park at 9.36pm on Thursday after reports of a male falling from 30 metres.

“The Wiltshire Air Ambulance Rapid Support Team attended the scene but unfortunately there was nothing we could do.”

Throughout the day yesterday tributes were left at the scene, above, carrying messages of condolence.

One read: “I love you with all my heart. My first and last love.” Another said: “The son we never had! Always in our heart.”

It is the latest in a series of deaths from the roof of the multi-storey car park, which is due for demolition later this year as part of the town centre regeneration.

This has led to calls in the past for safety measures to be introduced.

A council spokesman said: “We take the safety of vulnerable people extremely seriously and our patrolling car park staff are trained to be vigilant of any distressed people in our multi-storey car parks.

“We have also put up posters in our car parks aimed at such people urging them to contact the Samaritans.”

dglaholm wrote:
I find it strange that those in desperate need to speak to the samaritans have to pay for the call.

From the Samaritans website:

Why do I have to pay for the call?
We’d prefer if you could use all our services for free, but we’re a charity that depends on donations from the public. We just can’t afford to pay for the millions of calls for help we get each year.

How much it costs to phone us depends on which landline or mobile service provider you use, and whether you dial our national number or a local branch number.

[quote][p][bold]dglaholm[/bold] wrote:
I find it strange that those in desperate need to speak to the samaritans have to pay for the call.[/p][/quote]From the Samaritans website:
Why do I have to pay for the call?
We’d prefer if you could use all our services for free, but we’re a charity that depends on donations from the public. We just can’t afford to pay for the millions of calls for help we get each year.
How much it costs to phone us depends on which landline or mobile service provider you use, and whether you dial our national number or a local branch number.Ian13

Would prefer people call 999 for an ambulance, the call handlers are trained to deal with such things.

More importantly, there needs to good, reliable access to emergency mental health care available for everyone!!

Wouldn't touch Samaritans, it's pot luck who you get.
Would prefer people call 999 for an ambulance, the call handlers are trained to deal with such things.
More importantly, there needs to good, reliable access to emergency mental health care available for everyone!!Sashstaff